Dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor

ABSTRACT

A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dirt scoop defining a volume, a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop for rotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle, and an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and the frame. When the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, the interconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at the scooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into the volume of the dirt scoop. The interconnection assembly is further configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow the dirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping the material from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation.

BACKGROUND

Although they can be found in various forms, a tractor, generallystated, is an engineering vehicle designed to deliver a high tractiveeffort (or torque) at slow speeds, and may be configured with mechanismsused in agriculture, landscaping, or construction. Often, the mechanismsmay be removable and replaced with other mechanisms that serve specificpurposes (i.e., tillers, mowers, planters, reapers, and earth movers).One such mechanism is a dirt scoop.

A dirt scoop apparatus is a tractor attachment that can be driven by thetractor to move items such as dirt (e.g. soil, rocks, mulch, garbage,debris, and the like). The tractor drives the dirt scoop against thedirt that is to be removed until it is within the volume of ashovel-like element known as a dirt scoop. Once within the volume, thedirt is lifted and moved to a dumping location.

At the dumping location, the dirt is dumped from the dirt scoop.Typically, dumping occurs during a manual operation in which a rope ispulled by the tractor operator. This operation can be physically taxingon individuals, particularly if they must operate the dirt scoop forlong periods of time, or if they have a physical impairment that limitstheir ability to execute the manual operation. It is desirable to have adirt scoop apparatus that is effectively and easily operated by a widerange of users in a wide range of circumstances.

SUMMARY

One general aspect is directed to a dirt scooping, moving, and dumpingapparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus including: a dirtscoop defining a volume; a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop forrotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle;and an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and theframe, where, when the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, theinterconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at thescooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into thevolume of the dirt scoop, and where the interconnection assembly isfurther configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow thedirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle whenthe frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping thematerial from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Theapparatus where the interconnection assembly includes: a pivot jointpivotably connecting the dirt scoop with the frame; a latch mechanismdisposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loadedpulley assembly fixed with the frame, where the spring-loaded pulleyassembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and asecond end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor,where tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame islifted by the tractor automatically unlatches the latch mechanism whenthe frame reaches the dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoopto pivot with respect to the frame and dump dirt from the volume of thedirt scoop. The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: aprojection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a leverarm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever armhaving a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, thelever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engagethe projection. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which thedirt scoop pivots with respect to the frame to dump the dirt occurs whentension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tensionthreshold. The apparatus where the interconnection assembly includes anadjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. Theapparatus where the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism isunlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assemblyreaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loadedpulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the giventension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assemblyincludes: a pulley wheel fixed to an upper portion of the frame; and acable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulleywheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed betweenthe latch mechanism and the pulley wheel. The apparatus where thedumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is automaticallyunlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assemblyreaches a given tension threshold, and where the cable assembly furtherincludes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold.The apparatus further including: a counterbalance mechanism configuredto bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. The apparatus where thelatch mechanism further includes: a projection extending from a rearportion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixedrelationship with the frame, where the lever arm has a first endconnected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm furtherhaving a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. Theapparatus further including: a counterbalance mechanism connected at thesecond end of the lever arm to act against the spring-loaded pulleyassembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. Theapparatus where the frame supports the dirt scoop at a pivot connection,and where unlatching the latch mechanism causes the dirt scoop to pivotabout the pivot connection so as to dump the material from the volume.The apparatus where the given elevation at which the latch mechanism isautomatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulleyassembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where thespring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjustthe given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loadedpulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to the upper member ofthe frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationshipwith the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension springdisposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where thecable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust thegiven tension threshold. A cable assembly disposed in operationalrelationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including atension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulleywheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckleconfigured to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus wherethe latch mechanism includes: a projection extending from a rear portionof the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixedrelationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connectedwith the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having asecond end configured to releasably engage the projection.

Another general aspect is directed to a dirt scooping, moving, anddumping apparatus for attachment to an tractor, the apparatus including:a dirt scoop having a volume and an open front portion for scoopingmaterial into the volume; a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop; alatch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and aspring-loaded pulley assembly attached to the frame, where thespring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate thelatch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixedportion of the tractor, where, as the frame is lifted tension increasesalong the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to unlatch the latchmechanism when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby allowingthe dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame so as to dump dirt inthe volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion.

Implementations of this other general aspect may include one or more ofthe following features. The apparatus where the dumping elevation atwhich the latch mechanism is unlatched occurs when tension on thespring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. Theapparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustmentmechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where thespring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to an upperportion of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operationalrelationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including atension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulleywheel. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which the latchmechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on thespring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold, andwhere the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured toadjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus further including: acounterbalance mechanism configured to bias the latch mechanism to alatched state. The apparatus where the latch mechanism further includes:a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and alever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, wherethe lever arm has a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulleyassembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured toreleasably engage the projection. The apparatus further including: acounterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm toact against the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latchmechanism to a latched state. The apparatus where the frame supports thedirt scoop at a pivot connection, and where unlatching the latchmechanism causes the dirt scoop to pivot about the pivot connection soas to dump the material from the volume. The apparatus where the givenelevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurswhen tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a giventension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assemblyincludes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold.The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulleywheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and a cable assemblydisposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cableassembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanismand the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes aturnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. A cableassembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, thecable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latchmechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly furtherincludes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold.The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: a projection extendingfrom a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrumin fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first endconnected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm furtherhaving a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.

A further general aspect is directed to a dirt scooping, moving, anddumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus including:a dirt scoop having a volume defined by a plurality of walls, the dirtscoop having an open front portion for scooping material into thevolume, and a rear wall opposite the open front portion; a frame havingan upper member supporting the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, wherethe frame has a first end configured for attachment to a lift drive ofthe tractor so that operation of the lift drive results in a generallyvertical movement of the frame while maintaining the frame in agenerally level state; a latch mechanism disposed between the rear wallof the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assemblyhaving a pulley wheel in fixed relationship with the upper member of theframe, where the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connectedto operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured forattachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, where operation of thelift drive increases tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as theframe is raised so as to automatically unlatch the latch mechanism whenthe frame reaches a given elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop torotate about the pivot connection and dump material in the volume of thedirt scoop out the open front portion.

Implementations of this further general aspect may include one or moreof the following features. The apparatus where the given elevation atwhich the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tensionon the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold.The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes anadjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. Theapparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulleywheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and a cable assemblydisposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cableassembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanismand the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes aturnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. A cableassembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, thecable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latchmechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly furtherincludes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold.The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: a projection extendingfrom a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrumin fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first endconnected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm furtherhaving a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a dirt scoopingapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatuswith the dirt scoop positioned at a scooping elevation.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatuswith the dirt scoop raised to an intermediate elevation for transport ofits contents.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatuswith the dirt scoop apparatus raised to a dumping elevation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dirt scoopingapparatus.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the components andoperation of one embodiment of the latch mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view showing an alternative manner in whichthe dirt scooping apparatus may be attached to the tractor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a dirt scoopingapparatus 10 that is configured for attachment to a lift mechanism 20 ofa vehicle, such as a tractor 30. The dirt scooping apparatus 10 includesa dirt scoop 40 defining a volume. The dirt scoop 40 is pivotallysupported at pivot connection 45 by a frame 50. This allows the dirtscoop 40 to pivot on the frame 50 between a scooping angle and a dumpingangle.

The dirt scooping apparatus 10 also includes an interconnection assembly60. The interconnection assembly 60 includes a spring-loaded pulleyassembly 65 and a latch mechanism 70. The spring-loaded pulley assembly65 extends between a rear portion 80 of the frame 50 and is attached,for example, to a fixed portion of the body 85 of the tractor 30. Thelatch mechanism 70 extends from the rear portion 80 of the frame 50 andis releasably connected to a rear portion 100 of the dirt scoop 40. Acounterbalance spring 110 is used to bias the latch mechanism 70 towarda closed position in which the dirt scoop 40 is retained at the scoopingangle. In this embodiment, the counterbalance spring 110 extends fromlatch mechanism 702 a projection 53 extending from the rear of the frame50.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus10 with the dirt scoop 40 driven by the lift mechanism 20 in thedirection of arrow 75 to a scooping elevation. At the scoopingelevation, the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly 65 is belowa given threshold thereby allowing the latch mechanism 70 to engage therear portion 100 and retain the dirt scoop 40 at the scooping angle. Asthe tractor 30 is driven in the direction shown by arrow 115, dirt isscooped into the volume of the dirt scoop 40.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus10 with the dirt scoop 40 raised by the lift mechanism 20 to anintermediate elevation. As the lift mechanism 20 elevates the dirt scoop40 in the direction of arrow 77, the tension on the spring-loaded pulleyassembly 65 increases. However, at the intermediate elevation shown inFIG. 3, the tension on the spring-loaded poorly assembly is still belowthe given threshold, and the latch mechanism 70 remains engaged with therear portion 100 of the dirt scoop 40. At this intermediate elevation,the tractor 30 may be driven to a location at which the contents of thedirt scoop 40 is to be dumped.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus10 where it has been raised by the lift mechanism 20 to a dumpingelevation. As the lift mechanism 20 raises the dirt scoop 40 from theintermediate elevation to the dumping elevation, the tension on thespring-loaded pulley assembly 65 increases.

When the dirt scoop apparatus 10 reaches the dumping elevation, thetension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly 65 gets to a point at whichit exceeds the given threshold. When the given threshold is exceeded,the latch mechanism 70 releases the rear portion 100 of the dirt scoop40 to allow the dirt scoop 40 to pivot between the scooping angle andthe dumping angle.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dirt scoopingapparatus 10. In this embodiment, the dirt scoop 40 includes a volumedefined by a pan 120, a plurality of sidewalls 130, and a rear wall 140.The sidewalls 130 slant toward an open front 133 of the dirt scoop 40 todefine a digging edge with the front portion of the pan 120. Thisdigging edge configuration allows the dirt scoop 40 to cut into the dirtas it is moved by the tractor 30 at the scooping elevation.

The frame 50 includes frame elements used to support the dirt scoop 40and the latch mechanism 70, as well as to connect the dirt scoopingapparatus 10 to the lift mechanism 20 of the tractor 30. In thisembodiment, the frame 50 includes arch supports 150 connected at theirlower ends by a pair of lower crossbar supports 160 and at their upperends by a pair of upper crossbar supports 170. Each of the lowercrossbar supports 160 is connected to the dirt scoop 40 at a respectivepivot joint 180 to allow the dirt scoop 40 to rotate on the frame 50between the scooping angle and the dumping angle.

The frame 50 of the dirt scooping apparatus 10 is configured to engagethe arms of the lift mechanism 20 of the tractor 30. Here, the liftmechanism 20 includes an active arm 190 connected to the upper crossbarsupports 170 at a pivot joint 200, and a pair of passive arms 210connected to the lower crossbar supports 160 at respective pivot joints220. The active arm 190 may include, for example, a pneumatic drive, ahydraulic drive, etc., that operates to lengthen and retract the armwith respect to the tractor 30. The frame 50 is raised and lowered usingthe active arm 190 and passive arms 210 while maintaining the frame 50in a generally level state.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, the interconnection assembly 60 mayinclude a spring-loaded pulley assembly 65. In the illustratedembodiment, the spring-loaded poorly assembly 65 includes a pulley cable230 extending over a pulley wheel 240, where the pulley wheel 240 is infixed relationship with the upper crossbar supports 170. A first end ofthe pulley cable 230 is configured to engage a first end of a tensionadjustment mechanism 250, shown here as a turnbuckle. A second end ofthe pulley cable 230 is configured to engage a first end of a tensionspring 260. The tension spring 260 is secured (i.e., welded) at itssecond end to the latch mechanism 70. A further cable 270 extends from asecond end of the tension adjustment mechanism 250 and is affixed to thebody 85 of the tractor 30.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the components andoperation of the latch mechanism 70. In this embodiment, the latchmechanism 70 includes a lever arm 290 having a fulcrum 300 in fixedrelationship with the frame 50. An opening 310 is used to connect thetension spring 260 and counterbalance spring 110 to a first end 315 ofthe lever arm 290. A second end 320 of the lever arm 290 is configuredto releasably engage a projection 325 extending from a rear portion ofthe dirt scoop 40.

In operation, the total force applied to the first end 315 of the leverarm 290 depends on the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly 65and the tension on the counterbalance spring 110. More particularly, thespring-loaded pulley assembly 65 applies a force in the direction ofarrow 330, while the counterbalance spring 110 applies a force thedirection of arrow 340. There also may be frictional forces between theprojection 325 and the second end 320 of the lever arm 290. For thisdiscussion, such frictional forces have been ignored.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the force in the direction of arrow 340applied by the counterbalance spring 110 is greater than the force inthe direction of arrow 330 applied by the spring-loaded pulley assembly65. As such, the second end 320 is engaged with the projection 325(dotted outline) so that the dirt scoop 40 is retained at the scoopingangle.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the dirt scooping apparatus 10 has beenraised to an intermediate elevation to transport the material in thedirt scoop 40 to another location for dumping. At this elevation, thetension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly 65 is increased, and thecorresponding force in the direction of arrow 330 is likewise increased.However, the force in the direction of arrow 340 applied by thecounterbalance spring 110 remains greater than the force in thedirection of arrow 330 applied by the spring-loaded pulley assembly 65.Therefore, the second end 320 is engaged with the projection 325 so thatthe dirt scoop 40 is still maintained at the scooping angle.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the dirt scooping apparatus 10 has beenraised to the dumping elevation. At the dumping elevation, the tensionon the spring-loaded pulley assembly 225 has increased further, and theforce in the direction of arrow 330 is greater than the force in thedirection of arrow 340 applied by the counterbalance spring 110.Therefore, the second end 320 disengages from the projection 325 so thatthe dirt scoop 40 may pivot about the frame 50 at pivot joint 45 to thedumping angle.

The dumping elevation may be adjusted by increasing and decreasing theresting tension of the spring-loaded pulley assembly 65. In theillustrated embodiment, the tension adjustment mechanism 250, in theform of a turnbuckle, is adjusted effectively to alter the length of thespring-loaded pulley assembly 65. To raise the dumping elevation, thetension adjustment mechanism 250 is loosened to lengthen thespring-loaded pulley assembly 65. To lower the dumping elevation, thetension adjustment mechanism 250 is tightened to shorten thespring-loaded pulley assembly 65.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an alternative manner in which thedirt scooping apparatus 10 may be attached to the tractor 30. Unlike theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 where the tractor 30 drives the dirt scoopapparatus 10 in the direction shown at arrow 350 to scoop dirt into thedirt scoop 40, the tractor 30 drives the dirt scoop apparatus 10 in thedirection shown at arrow 360 to scoop the dirt. Here, the active arm 190is connected to the upper crossbar supports 170 at a pivot joint 370,and the pair of passive arms 210 are connected to the lower crossbarsupports 160 at respective pivot joints 380. In this arrangement, thespring-loaded pulley assembly 65 is connected in a different manner thanthat shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, both ends of the pulley cable 230extend away from one another over the pulley wheel 240. However, in theembodiment of FIG. 7, both ends of the pulley cable 230 extend in thesame general direction (i.e., toward the tractor 30) over the pulleywheel 240. In other respects, the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 7is similar to the operation of the other embodiments discussed above.

In one embodiment of the dirt scooping apparatus 10, both the front andthe rear portion of the frame 50 are provided with projections forconnection to the active arm 190 and passive arms 210 of the liftmechanism 20. As such, a single dirt scooping apparatus 10 may beconnected in either the configuration shown in FIG. 1 or theconfiguration shown in FIG. 7.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus comprising: a dirt scoop defining a volume; a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop for rotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle; and an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and the frame, wherein, when the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, the interconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at the scooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into the volume of the dirt scoop, and wherein the interconnection assembly is further configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow the dirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping the material from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interconnection assembly comprises: a pivot joint pivotably connecting the dirt scoop with the frame; a latch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assembly fixed with the frame, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, wherein tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame is lifted by the tractor automatically unlatches the latch mechanism when the frame reaches the dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame and dump dirt from the volume of the dirt scoop.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the latch mechanism comprises: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dumping elevation at which the dirt scoop pivots with respect to the frame to dump the dirt occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the interconnection assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold.
 6. A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to an tractor, the apparatus comprising: a dirt scoop having a volume and an open front portion for scooping material into the volume; a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop; a latch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assembly attached to the frame, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, wherein as the frame is lifted tension increases along the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to unlatch the latch mechanism when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame so as to dump dirt in the volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly comprises: a pulley wheel fixed to an upper portion of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold, and wherein the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a counterbalance mechanism configured to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, wherein the lever arm has a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a counterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm to act against the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state.
 14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the frame supports the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, and wherein unlatching the latch mechanism causes the dirt scoop to pivot about the pivot connection so as to dump the material from the volume.
 15. A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus comprising: a dirt scoop having a volume defined by a plurality of walls, the dirt scoop having an open front portion for scooping material into the volume, and a rear wall opposite the open front portion; a frame having an upper member supporting the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, wherein the frame has a first end configured for attachment to a lift drive of the tractor so that operation of the lift drive results in a generally vertical movement of the frame while maintaining the frame in a generally level state; a latch mechanism disposed between the rear wall of the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assembly having a pulley wheel in fixed relationship with the upper member of the frame, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, wherein operation of the lift drive increases tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame is raised so as to automatically unlatch the latch mechanism when the frame reaches a given elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to rotate about the pivot connection and dump material in the volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the given elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly comprises: a pulley wheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and wherein the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the latch mechanism comprises: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: a counterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm to act against forces generated by the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. 